USS Enterprise (CVN 65)
The Shuttle Newsletter Edition
“We are Legend”
May 9, 2012 Issue
OEF Begins in Combat Direction Center Story and photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Randy J. Savarese
USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea – The Combat Direction Center (CDC) aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) maintains a constant flow of information while the ship participates in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in the Arabian Sea. Much of what this watch team accomplishes is shrouded in secrecy, but its mission to locate and identify all of the aircraft, ships and even submarines operating around Enterprise, is paramount to the ship’s ability to carry out missions like OEF. On the surface side, ships are tracked and identified and this Operations Specialist 2nd Class Drew Gowdey works at his station in the combat direction center information is updated (CDC) aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). constantly so the decision makers can plan the coast of Virginia where we know everything that is flying and coordinate operations in the safest and most efficient way. around us.” “The challenges right now are to make sure we take care The core of CDC’s mission is to make sure every craft of the strike group and all the friendly units out here,” said operating near the strike group is identified so if threats arise, Operations Specialist 2nd Class Ferocious Parker, the Force they can be dealt with in the most effective way possible. Over The Horizon Track Coordinator. In usual Enterprise fashion, missions have been going off Another important task performed by the sailors in CDC without any serious hindrance and the information the strike is ensuring that aircraft destined for OEF-related missions are group uses to assess threats and continue its cycle of success, properly identified and that their various radios and secure has been flowing thanks to the work done by the CDC. communications equipment are all fully functioning. “In terms of providing support for the air wing going out CDC personnel also monitor non-air wing aircraft. on OEF missions and returning, monitoring the radar for each “OEF can get a little tricky for us sometimes because we of the aircraft coming or going, performing the identification have to keep a very close monitor all aircraft in this area of of who is friend or foe and working with the air defense operation (AOR),” said Operations Specialist 2nd Class Drew commander all those roles are going very well,” said Cmdr. Gowdey, the Sea Combat Air Controller. “There are a lot of Scott Stringer, Combat Direction Center Officer. “We have been planes in the air that we have to watch. “It’s not like being off really successful so far.”